Turkish Competition Authority’s Android Decision

The thing is; Everything that is monopoly is bad. Anything that is not competitive is bad. If it’s not a contract for the Google monopoly, which is a bad thing for Turkey We are again reporting on a technology translation. Because, on the one hand, asking us about the news that journalists wrote, “What is this?” There were a lot of people. On the other hand, it is seen that journalists report while they are reporting, without understanding some things.

The news of “Android crisis” suddenly appeared in newspapers the day before. The titles were similar to the following;

“Warning to Turkey from Google: Android phones may not grant a license” “Sanctions Threat from Google: Android Market may explode in Turkey. The task of journalists is to inform the public as you know. In doing so, it turns into false information and “DISCOVERING” when it turns news into news without analyzing the news they hear and ask questions to experts and necessary places.

Just like we see the news “Censorship came, Netflix is ​​going” after the RTÜK decision. It’s like Netflix, “Amanda Turkey’s censorship, not something to democracy” as if to say. As if he was going to say “Since RTÜK made an arrangement, come on byee to me”

However, these companies think of you, not us, but the money they will earn. If necessary, they also reach agreement with censorship states. Because there is a big competition and money making issue. Nobody wants to leave such a market to their rival.

Nobody is sorry, this is not journalism

Journalism requires questioning and asking experts if necessary. Here, too, you should consider; “The government is doing a lot of wrong things. Then the Competition Authority Decision is also a bad thing, not to look at” What is the content of the decision “.

The thing is; Everything that is monopoly is bad. Anything that is not competitive is bad. If it’s not a contract for the Google monopoly, which is a bad thing for Turkey.

We have repeatedly written the monopoly for Turk Telekom, Microsoft, Intel, and all kinds of monopolies. If Google is also trying to be a monopoly, it is not true.

The Competition Authority took a decision that called it “stop”.

In whose favor?

In favor of the Turkish people …

Is it the only Turkish Competition Board that took this decision?

Answer is no; The European Union has also taken the same decision twice, saying that it should stop Google from monopoly [2] [3]. Lawyer Gökhan Ahi says the same;

Turkey side that this decision has given a decision before the European Commission [4]. Google was fined $ 4.34 billion. And just like in Turkey, their maps, search, mail, etc. will not be able to have their applications pre-installed in the Android operating system, and will not be able to download them as a single package. There is no problem about using Android, the application named Google Play will be available in the market, the consumer will choose which Google application to install or not.

What is the decision? What does Google explain?

The translation of the decision is as follows; The Android operating system is to be used in mobile phones produced in Turkey, came together (default setting) Do NOT MONOPOLY applications [5].

The apps that came together from the native Android phones to date (factory setting) were always Google. While you are there, for example, if you want, you can download Yandex search or load the map. However, if applications come with the factory default, no other application is called. Easy to use at hand.

Thus, for example, use of Google’s mobile search engine in their homeland Turkey is higher than in the US.

Although this may seem useful and easy for users in the first place, we will see a structure that turns into monopoly in the long run. Monopoly is always an unpleasant situation for the consumer. In terms of price or quality. If you think that Google is even directing (forward or backward) news you will read today, it is also dangerous.

Moreover, we are going through a period when even “Embargo in Informatics” was spoken [6]. It is useful to diversify everything.

The Competition Authority first rejected Yandex’s complaint in 2015 [7], but when the decision returned from the court, it decided to open an investigation in 2017 [8]. As a result, he approved the violation of competition even after 4 years and made a correct decision in August 2019 [5].

Google has stretched this decision a little more. The Competition Authority made a new reminder in November. We have seen all these news in this framework.

But the “Android crisis” is exaggerated news. Google will not leave the market to its competitors. The Chinese Huawei’s operating system, which will replace Android, is on the horizon. For those who are going to read this article and sneeze right now, let me quote this; “We have a 200,000-person R&D team versus our 2,000-person R&D team,” said a Huawei competitor.

In other words, there is no such thing that Google says to the Competition Authority “I do not play my marbles.” On the contrary, it will examine how it will adapt to the new situation and see where it can stretch.

As a citizen and journalist, we need to understand what is useful and defend or explain it. Google doesn’t need our protection. The money he has missed to every tax haven, as well as his market share in advertising and other issues, is more than enough to protect himself.

Finally, there is a new explanation from Google that we publish today.

Current statement from Google

An update to Android partners and our users in Turkey

In 2007, we started developing Android as an open source operating system to power the mobile devices of many companies. Since then, we’ve made it free to manufacturers and developers so they can build devices and experiences for people around the world, as we’ve invested billions of dollars in Android.

Our investment in Android is very meaningful to us, because we give phone manufacturers the option to pre-install popular Google apps, some of which generate revenue for us and enable manufacturers to offer useful services to their customers. Phone manufacturers do not have to install any of our services on their devices, but they are also free to install competing applications alongside ours. This only happens if our applications are installed and users prefer our applications instead of alternatives.

Today, millions of users to connect with friends each day in Turkey and use their Android phones to do their jobs. This, in applications for mobile devices with Android phones selling Turkish and international manufacturers and mobile operators in Turkey, preparing games and services and create economic opportunities for the developer.

After working with the Competition Authority for more than three years, we made some changes in the agreements we made with our Android partners, upon a decision made by the Competition Authority in August. These changes included taking our partners to a much higher level of flexibility we offer to preload Google’s revenue generating apps on their devices. However, in November the Competition Authority is not appropriate enough in the direction of these changes and conviction can not operate under these agreements was reported in Turkey.

As Google, we continue to work with the Competition Authority to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. In this context, the fastest way to work in a manner consistent with the law in Turkey because of great importance for us, work through contact with our partners to get themselves new in Turkey have informed in the direction we have to stop the confirmation Android device models.

This means the new device model in Turkey can not be offered to the market with Google services. The sale and operation of existing models will continue as normal. Existing devices and apps will continue to run normally and receive updates. Google’s other products and services will not be affected.

In this case the users in Turkey, manufacturers, application developers and operators to understand the challenges posed, therefore, working with the Competition Authority hope to resolve the issue as soon as possible.